First, welcome to the hobby!

As far as your list of items, it all sounds ok except I would not get the OS .40 LA. It runs well, but it doesn't have much power. And ARF planes tend to come out a little heavier so you will need the extra oomph. You would probably be happier with an OS FX engine, or a Thunder Tiger Pro, or a Magnum engine. They all run well and put out more power than the LA line.

The extra things you will need; I'll probably miss something but here goes: CA glue, 30 min. epoxy, Foam Rubber, Medium fuel tubing, #64 rubber bands, 10 or 15% fuel, fuel pump (manual will do), a couple spare props, a chicken stick (something to flip the prop with), some tools (screwdrivers, pliers, razor knife), Ni-starter (to heat the glow plug), a little piece of brass tubing to connect the fuel line from your pump to the fuel line on your plane, a couple of padded stakes to restrain the plane while you start the engine. Can't think of anything else...

Now, as far as teaching yourself to fly. It can be done; a lot of guys have done it. BUT, a whole lot more have tried it, gotten frustrated, and given up. It's not so much the cost, but the frustration of flying the plane for ten seconds, seeing it crash, taking it home and fixing it, only to do the whole cycle again. That's why everyone here will tell you to get some instruction. So you can have a chance to get used to the controls before you have to get close to the ground. If you are determined to go on your own, at least practice with one of the R/C simulators. I have taught students for many years and the ones who have used a simulator learn twice as fast. You can download the FMS simulator for free, and it works pretty good.

Also, if you join a club, you will get a lot of instant friends who share the same interest. Personally, I enjoy the socialization at the field as much as the flying.

Well, good luck!